Alexandria, VA – Students, faculty and staff of the Virginia Theological Seminary are finalizing preparations for the seminary’s Christian Rock Concert, Saturday, April 13. The free day-long event includes a morning Quidditch clinic and tournament, food vendors, and more than 10 hours of live music.

Joining headliners Five Iron Frenzy are the Letter Black, Fran McKendree, the Sloan River Project and Joel Joa. Additionally, fans will have an opportunity to meet band members throughout the day and also hear local acts CrashChord and Paradox.

“Normally, we have this 88-acre campus to our small community of 250,” said the Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, dean and president of Virginia Theological Seminary. “This is our opportunity to give back to others. We are very excited to be able to share this space with friends from Virginia, Washington, Maryland and beyond.”

The event has arisen as part of a continuing effort to find ways for young people to stay connected with the church, a priority for Virginia Seminary. As such, the seminary’s Center for the Ministry of Teaching, which provides resources to assist with lifelong Christian formation and discipleship, has been integral in planning for the concert.

With less than three weeks until the concert, hundreds of people have already pre-registered for the event. While a number of youth groups from Episcopal congregations are scheduled to attend, the concert is intended as an ecumenical event, open to all.

“During the course of a year, VTS provides many opportunities to enjoy traditional Anglican music – on April 13, we will provide an opportunity for those who prefer contemporary Christian rock music,” Markham said. “We put the vast majority of our resources in providing events and activities for Episcopalians – on April 13, we will put our resources into a major ecumenical event.”

Just as the seminary hopes to welcome guests of all faith traditions, the music lineup includes something for everyone. Five Iron Frenzy’s high-energy brand of third-wave ska has developed a huge following over the years, even resurrecting the band in 2012 through a Kickstarter project. Alternative/hard rock group The Letter Black cites influences Metallica, Guns N Roses, Alice in Chains and Stone Temple Pilots while urban artist Joel Joa grew up listening to Latin rap, Tupac, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Lil Rob and Eminem. Sloan River Project blends sacred, secular and spiritual traditions into their own brand of pop, while singer-songwriter Fran McKendree is more grounded in folk, having begun his forty-year career in coffee shops before sharing New York’s Central Park stage with headliner Jimmy Cliff.

More information about participating artists may be found at the concert web site, www.vts.edu/rockconcert, along with information on lodging, Quidditch and a link to registration.

While the concert is free and open to the public, registration is required and space is limited.

Founded in 1823, Virginia Theological Seminary is the largest of the 11 accredited seminaries of the Episcopal Church. The school prepares men and women, representing more than 40 different dioceses and nine different countries, for service in the Church, both as ordained and lay ministers, and offers a number of professional degree programs and diplomas. Currently, the Seminary represents more than 42 different dioceses and five different countries, for service in the Church.